Obama speaks with Medvedev about Russian wildfires

The United States is helping Russia fight wildfires that have killed more than 50 people and are now threatening Russian nuclear sites.

President Obama spoke to Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev about the situation today. A readout from the White House:

President Obama called President Medvedev yesterday to express his deepest condolences for the tragic losses that Russia has suffered in the recent wildfires.

The President told President Medvedev that he is monitoring the situation closely, and that the United States is responding to Russia's request for technical assistance in combating the fires -- USAID, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Forest Service, and the State of California are mobilizing firefighting equipment and airlift to assist Russia in combating the wildfires.

The American people stand with the people of Russia in this difficult time.

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About David Jackson

David's journalism career spans three decades, including coverage of five presidential elections, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 2000 Florida presidential recount and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has covered the White House for USA TODAY since 2005. His interests include history, politics, books, movies and college football -- not necessarily in that order. More about David